textfiles/bbs/aop.txt

	 Association of Online Professionals
	Information and Membership Application
 
Thank you for your interest in the Association of Online 
Professionals.  As our industry grows, it is critical that 
professionals such as ourselves join together to promote our 
common interests and defend ourselves from unwarranted 
regulation and legislation.  

AOP was created by leading members of our industry to support 
the individuals, online systems and companies that comprise 
the industry.  While we are a young organization, we have 
substantial support behind our Association.  And this support
reaches far beyond our own borders, with organizing efforts 
underway for affiliate AOP organizations in Canada, Latin 
America, Europe and Asia.  

Together, we are building an industry where professionals can 
practice their craft without undue interference.  An industry 
with room for individuals and systems to grow and prosper. And 
an industry where our members can grow professionally and 
profit from their efforts.

But we can't do it without you.
  
Regardless of the environment in which you work -- from a BBS 
or online system to the Internet to companies that provide 
products and services to online systems -- you are an 
online professional.  And we need your support.  We need your 
voice with ours when we fight for fair legislation.  We need your 
ideas and efforts to define and deliver services.  We need your 
financial support, through your dues, to staff and fund these 
efforts.  

The dues you pay -- far lower than for most professional 
associations -- will be returned to you in the form of a better 
environment in which to manage your system or business.  And it 
will be returned to you more directly in the form of services, 
information, discounts and support not easily available to you 
anywhere else.  

It is our goal and our commitment to deliver to you a set of 
services worth more than what you pay in dues.  More 
importantly, it is our goal to help create the credibility, public 
support and respect that system operators deserve.  

We look forward to having you as a member of the Association of 
Online  Professionals.  If we may provide you with further 
information or answer questions, please don't hesitate to call 
AOP in our headquarters near Washington, DC.   

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            Association of Online Professionals
                          Fact Sheet

The Assocation of Online Professionals (AOP) is a non-profit 
service and support organization that exists to foster and 
promote the growth of individuals, organizations and companies 
that operate, consult with and support electronic 
communications and information services worldwide.

Association:			Section 501(c)(6) professional 
				association, tax-exempt
Founded:			1994
Staff Contact:			David P. McClure 
				Executive Director
Classes of Membership:		Individual
				Corporate
Special Interest Groups:	System Operator
				Industry Marketing
				Hobbyist/Non-Profit
				Education
				Media
				Public Policy

Board of Directors:

	Dennis C. Hayes		Hayes Microcomputer (Chairman)
	Steve Klingler		Clark Development (Vice Chairman)
	Adam A. Strack		US Robotics (Treasurer)
	Tony McClenny		World Data Network (Secretary)
	Doug Clemons		Rockwell International
	Dan Linton		Software Creations
	Bob Mahoney		Exec-PC
	Carson Hanrahan		Traders Connection
	Kathy Lane		Harman Interactive


Contact:			Association of Online Professionals     
				6010 Burdon Court, Suite 302
				Alexandria, VA   22315  
				Voice:   (703) 924-9692
				Fax:	 (703) 924-9594 
				E-mail: Dave.McClure@aop.org
	 				70631,266 on CIS
					Go AOP on AOL
				BBS:     (404) 592-0255   
				Fidonet: 1:133/1501 
 
===========================================================

	     Association of Online Professionals 
               6010 Burdon Court, Suite 302
                 Alexandria, VA   22315  
                      (703) 924-9692 

In California, self-styled consumer advocates are lobbying 
legislators to regulate the BBS industry.  Among the proposed 
regulations is a requirement for every BBS with customers in 
the state to establish a business address and buy a business 
license for California. . .

The state of Pennsylvania has adopted new tax laws that will 
apply sales and  use taxes for connect time, downloads and 
services from online services and  BBS systems.  At least 25 
other states are expected follow suit in the months  ahead. . . 
 
Congress, working to forge a National Information 
Infrastructure, is lobbied  daily by powerful and well funded 
cable and television companies to make  interactive TV the 
format for NII. . .  

Proposed revisions to the U.S. copyright law under consideration 
right now  would make SysOps responsible forcollection of 
royalties and safeguarding of  copyrighted material on their 
systems.  In part, the content providers are  seeking to make 
SysOps financially liable for copyrighted materials of any  kind 
that find their way into electronic distribution. . .  

The news media portray BBS systems as a population of 
pornographers and  software thieves.  And they question 
whether families and kids are "safe"  online. . .  
 
If the online services industry is to survive and thrive, we must 
work  together to bring power and respect to the industry and its 
members. SysOps,  companies and other professionals with an 
interest in the industry must  work together to protect our 
interests and promote the growth of our  industry. 
 
The job of promoting an industry and providing services to its 
professionals  falls to an industry trade and professional 
association.  Where no single  SysOp, and no single company, 
has the resources to do what needs to be done on its own, and 
association -- with thousands of members each contributing  a 
little to the effort -- can.  The Association of Online Professionals 
is  your association, committed to these goals.  AOP was formed 
to create and  provide opportunities to professionals in the 
online industry.  Opportunities for interaction with other online 
professionals.  Opportunities for growth,  career advancement, 
entrepreneurship and business referrals. 
 
But AOP is more than this.  It's your voice in Washington and at 
the state  level.  It's valuable information, discounts on essential 
products and services,  and member support designed to make 
your life easier.  

The Association of Online Professionals is a non-profit trade 
association  founded in 1994 to promote the interests of the 
professionals who plan,  manage and provide services to the 
online telecommunications industry. Though in its first year, 
AOP has already gained the support of major  companies in the 
industry, key system operators and other interested  
professionals throughout the country.  
  
AOP is your association.  We've made a strong start, and will  
be working actively through the fall to build a set of services  
that can provide real value to our SysOp members. 
 
Classes of Membership 
 
AOP has two classes of members: 
  
Individual members are individuals who manage or 
operate  systems that include BBS systems, nodes of the 
Internet, nodes on  message networks, remote access computers 
and other systems.  And they are the professionals actively 
involved in the industry who do not  manage systems. These 
include service providers, educators, law  enforcement officers,
government employees and others who share our  commitment to 
the growth of the online community.  These  members receive the 
full range of AOP services for an annual dues of  $95. 
 
Corporate members include the companies that provide 
hardware,  software, access services (including major online 
systems) and other  direct services or support for system 
operators.  Corporate members pay  a dues fee on a sliding scale 
based on gross annual sales, and receive up to five individual 
memberships, access to industry research data, access to 
members, and a role in industry promotion and public policy 
initiatives.  

Participation in Association Special Interest Groups: 
 
AOP operates and supports special interest groups (SIGs) and 
committees that work cooperatively to the betterment of the 
industry.  Members are invited and  encouraged to participate in 
these programs.  They include, but are not limited to:  

1) A SysOp SIG that will set priorities for projects and guide 
the AOP staff in providing services to system operator members.
This SIG also oversees such critical projects as the Standards 
Committee (which manages the AOP Code of Professional 
Standards) and the Awards Committee.

2) An Industry Marketing SIG to develop and implement joint 
marketing programs to members and consumers. This is the 
primary working group for consultants, service providers and
small companies.

3) A Public Policy SIG to coordinate legislative and regulatory 
responses at the International, Federal and State levels in 
support of member interests. 

4) A Hobbyist/Non-Profit SIG that will set priorities for projects 
and guide the AOP staff in providing services to system 
operators who operate non-profit or hobby online systems.

5) An Education SIG that will establish and strengthen the use 
of online systems for education and reference.  This SIG will 
also manage the AOP Certification Program for online 
professionals.

6)  A Media SIG for members who report on or cover online 
communications, including editors of online 'zines and 
newsletters.

Members are encouraged to be active in one or more SIGs, both 
to ensure that their voices are heard in the Association and to 
help further the goals of the Association.  New SIGs will be 
added if a sufficient number of members request them.

Member Services 

Service to members is the reason AOP exists, and its single goal 
for the years  ahead.  These services are defined and planned by 
our members based on  their needs, and implemented on their 
behalf by the Association's staff.   

Services for members include: 
 
-- Opportunities for interaction with other professionals,
   including seminars, conferences and regional events. 
 
-- A voice in Washington, and in your state capitol, working to
   protect your interests. 
 
-- Professional advisory services for legal, business management,  
   marketing and accounting issues. 
 
-- Career development, education and accreditation services for
    professionals. 
 
-- Referrals for Bulletin Boards.  Referrals to consultants. And a
   job-search bank for professionals seeking new opportunities. 
 
-- Discounts on essential products and services. 
 
-- Industry-wide promotional programs to foster the growth of the
   online community, including  media relations, joint marketing 
   and public education. 
 
-- Association publications that include membership directory,
   resource guide, online systems legal guide and more.
 
-- A members-only BBS system for communication and information
   vital to online operations and management. 
 
-- A monthly newsletter, legislative alerts and other timely news. 
 
-- Accurate industry and marketing information available only to
   members. 
 
-- And the opportunity be take an active role in the growth and
   evolution of the world's fastest-growing and most vital 
   industry. 
 
AOP is the international association for online professionals.
It's your professional association, created and managed to serve 
your needs and interests. 
 
AOP is well-organized and planned.  It is staffed by experts in 
the online industry and in association management.  It's backed 
by leading BBS systems, online services, companies and 
consultants across the country.   All it needs now is the 
participation of professionals like you. 
 
To join AOP, simply complete the enclosed membership 
application and return it with your check or money order for 
your first year's dues.  You may also join by check or credit 
card either by telephone (703-924-9693) or on the AOP BBS.
 
===============================================================

                      Application For 
 	              Individual Membership 
 
Name:     _________________________________________
Company:  _________________________________________ 
Address:  _________________________________________ 
City:     _______________ State: ___  Zip: ________   
Country:  _____________________ 
Phone:    ___________________ Fax: ________________
E-Mail:   _________________________________________
 
Type of Company, BBS or Online System: 
 
     _____   Public BBS          _____   Private/Corporate BBS 
     _____   Internet Site       _____   Online Services Forum 
     _____   Public Library      _____   Consulting Firm 
     _____   E-Mail Provider     _____   Academic Institution 
     _____   Law Firm            _____   Media/Publisher
     _____   Internet Provider   _____   Computer Hardware/Software 
     _____   Marketing Firm      _____   Network Consultant 
     Other (specify):   ______________________________________ 
 
For our records, please provide information regarding the online 
or BBS system you manage, if applicable.  If the system has 
multiple telephone lines or nodes, note the first or primary 
contact telephone number.  For the Internet or other addressable 
systems, provide the complete e-mail address.  For content, list 
the type of materials carried on the system (e.g., adult-oriented, 
research, general public info, etc.): 
 
Name of System:           _______________________________ 
Main Access Telephone #:  _______________________________
Modem Type/Baud Rate:     _______________________________
General Content:          _______________________________ 
			  _______________________________ 

===========================================================
 
Instructions for Membership Application: 
 
Please complete all information on the reverse side of this page.  
The information will be used for the AOP Membership Directory 
and for our files.  When completed, mail this document along 
with a check or money order for dues to: 
 
	Director of Member Services 
	Association of Online Professionals     
        6010 Burdon Court, Suite 302
        Alexandria, VA   22315  
        Voice:   (703) 924-9692 
        Fax:     (703) 924-9594  

Payment is also accepted by Visa or Mastercard.  Enter the 
information below and mail or fax this document to AOP:

Name of 
Cardholder:_________________________________________________
Visa ____   MasterCard ____  Expiration Date _______________
Card Number:   _____________________________________________

Signature:    ______________________________________________
 
For faster application, call AOP with your credit card or
check information.
 
Dues for individual professionals is a flat fee of $95. Dues  
must accompany the membership application. 
 
This dues payment is not deductible as a charitable 
contribution.  However, for most members this fee is deductible  
as a business expense.  Please note that 20 percent of member  
dues will be used for lobbying expenses on behalf of the  
members.  Membership is for a one-year period.  Membership is  
not transferrable or refundable. 
 

AOP has a wide variety of committees and special interest groups in
which you may choose to become active.  Please indicate your interest: 
 
___   Public Policy SIG    ___    Media SIG 
___   Education SIG        ___    Hobbyist/Non-Profit SIG 
___   SysOp SIG		   ___    Industry Marketing SIG